Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Hunsucker

Thomas W. Hunsucker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7527281
    Abstract: Disclosed is a trailer hitch system that is configured to rotate to a stowing position and an operating position. When in the operational position, a coupler arm of the trailer is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the trailer so that the coupler arm contributes to the length of the trailer. When in the stowing position, the coupler arm of the trailer is bent at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the trailer so that the coupler arm does not contribute to the overall length of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Pivit Hitch, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. Rowland, Thomas W. Hunsucker
  • Patent number: 7494147
    Abstract: Disclosed are improved devices for rotatably-coupled trailer coupler assemblies. The disclosed devices include a lock assembly that can be used to lock and unlock a coupler arm of a swing-type trailer coupler assembly in predetermined positions, such as towing and storage positions. The lock assembly includes a lock member that moves between a locked an unlocked state. In the locked state, the lock member locks the coupler arm of the assembly in a predetermined position, such as a towing position. In the unlocked state, the lock member does not interfere with the coupler arm such that the coupler arm is free to move between the towing and storage orientations. An actuator is coupled to the lock assembly. The actuator can be actuated to transition the lock member between the locked and unlocked states. The lock assembly is fixedly mounted to the coupler assembly so that a user does not have to insert and remove the lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. Rowland, Thomas W. Hunsucker
  • Patent number: 7455436
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flush mounted lighting system for a vehicle. In one embodiment, the lighting system includes a frame member and a light member mounted in the frame member. The frame member is disposed within a portion of the vehicle so that the frame member is flushly mounted with an outer surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. Rowland, Thomas W. Hunsucker
  • Patent number: 6364337
    Abstract: Disclosed is a trailer hitch adapter system that may be used to convert a standard trailer into a trailer having a pivoting hitch tongue. The system preferably comprises a hitch tongue that is movable between two positions: an out-of-the-way storage position and a towing position. When in the towing position, the hitch tongue does not increase the overall length of the trailer. When the hitch tongue is in the towing position, the tongue can be attached to the hitch of a towing vehicle so that the trailer may be towed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventors: Edward R. Rowland, Thomas W. Hunsucker